Toowoomba - Roma vs Torres Strait

Toowoomba - Roma and Torres Strait are two very different Queensland regions. Torres Strait has a much stronger connection to First Nations culture, with 82.4% of people speaking a First Nations language and 52.8% of First Nations people finishing Year 12. In contrast, Toowoomba - Roma has a much larger First Nations population overall, with 22,881 people. Toowoomba - Roma also has better access to local services, with 46.6% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school, compared to 26.2% in Torres Strait.

Both areas have First Nations Year 12 completion rates that sit near the national figure. While they share this educational trend, their daily environments differ. Toowoomba - Roma is mostly car-dependent but has better access to public transport and groceries. Torres Strait is also mostly car-dependent, though more people there live within a short walk of a park. Since 2011, the gap in the typical age of First Nations residents has remained, with people in Torres Strait being noticeably older.